The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-25
The elimination OF a Republican
Split in Nashville.
I~ittleton Assaulted Banks In n Most
Offensive Editorial.
Banks Loads Himself with Two
Double Barreled Shot-G Guns.
The Contents of Both Weapons Emp
tied Into the Late Republican
Candidate for Mayor by one
OF His Own Party.

O'Clock this morning persons in the vicln-
fly OF High street, between Church and
Broad, heard several reports in quick sue
cession. Some thought they were caused
by boys firing fire-cmckers, and hurried
ON without further thought, but those
who were nearer the spot from whence the
reports issued were soon aware That a
bloody tragedy had been enacted. Joseph
X. Banks, a well known young real estate
agent. had just shot and probably fatally
wounded Mr.. John J. Littlcton, editor Of
the National RcridB.
Mr.. Iittlcton was coming mp the west
side Of High street, from his residence on
the same side OF the street, about half way
between Church and Broad streets. lie
had reached a point just opposite the door
by which the Howard library is entered,
when he was fred upon by Banks, who
had been lying in wait in u little brick
house across the street, and slightly below
the door Of the institute. The shots were
fired from
TWO DouRIE-BAERrLED sHorGUNs,
loaded with buckshot, from the door OF
the little house mentioned. Mr.. Littlet0n
was walking with his hands in his over
coat pockets ON both sides, and fell ut the
iinst shot.
Httlcton. when he tell, cried 30 Lord
several times aud called Mr.. Banks u Cow-
ard. He rcgaincd his feet and Banks
walked rapidly down the street, carrying
one gun with hIm, and turned into Cum
bcrland allcy east. Mr.. IittletOn, when
L. x.,.su.l Lta foot atuFf.l fnuluFl hta
house, when Mr.. Daniel Ryan came Ia
his assistance and helped him Ia the gate.
just ~ he reached the house Mr.. Little
tons knees seemed Ia give way and lac al
most sank nj the door.
Soon after Mr.. Littlcton was taken home
Father Delaney, Of the Catholic church,
was sent for. Mr.. l~ittlcton made his pro-
f,ssion 10 the Catholic faith aud was bap-
TIED 10y Father Delaney.
I%NMEDiATELY ArTER THE FIRING
An immense throng blocked the street
near the scene Of the shooting. The house
from which the shooting occurred X u
small and old brick building with four
rooms, two below and two above. No. nc
j. occupied by Albert Hawkins ~ n Shoe.
shop. The upper noon OF No. liS h oc-
cupicl by John Cockrll, colprcd, 'thc
buEEini orator. The lower room oi No.
IiS, from the door VI which the shots wcrc
fired, II bare ~ furniture.
As soon Us the shooting waa done Banks
walked down High street and turned into
~Jumhcrlnnd alley, whctc, II II said, he en-
tend a hack aud drove toward Summer
street. By this time the news OF the shoot
ing bal spread over the city. Ranks dryo
10 the jail, accompanied 10y Allen 4. Hall,
AMI surrendered himself tO Officer llanlcy,
who happened tocumc up NJ that moment
In au Interview with your rCprctcnta-
tive
BANKS ram
that be- drd four times. that hc camc oul
un the step aud called Ia liitlcton "Dc
icnd yourself" and fired. liulctnn turned
aud fired one shot, when he cmpticd th,
rrcond buryl, aud i]itllctou Tell. Then h,
stepped In and got thc other gun an,
cmp,icd bath huplS into littlcton. Encl
barrel Of each gun was loaded with siXicci
buckahot.
I'm. W. r. Hrigs, w. I. Nichol aud G
I. I've drrilcd that q magistrate had bit
Ter take q statement from Mt Littlcton, u
they considered his wounds fatal. justice
Mckenzie was ernt lor, aud upon his NJ
rival Dr. Michel said Ia the patient "Mr
litlctOn, nr. briggs and ! con,idc
your wounds fatal. and suppose w.
think you will not piroycr.' Mr. Littlctul
Eid In q firm Voice YES, sir, | know tina
ma badly hurt"
NH. L~irurtuN's STATEMENT
WIS ~ follows 81 WIS walking M IN
street toward my ofiics and suddcnl
/ heard q shot iir'l from behind me
Quick ~ thought ! lrlt a shock; that shu
icllcl me 60 the ground, and suddenly
paliHed ! had lUrn wounded, anl every
body said hc would shUpt me In the hlyl
wis on the gruund. ! ui-rd my bead
had q revolver, having previously bee
warned ui thv danger. My arm WIS hlr
With shot, 20 that I could not us' IL. m
tuddcuuuss Of the shock caused me /
hll. | looked and saw u man standing !
the door on the opposite side ui the sire,
with a gun sighted at me. That man W.
Joc Banks. | rid That Is enough
don't tire aruiu.' lie fired tN
moU loads into ny legs IN.
shocked me. lie shot ma twi,
in tie legs. My recollection a that the.
wor five shots fired. 1 ri-yd up and W
Joe Banks. lie broke aud van. sui
watch the coward run from a dead man
He ran around John Cocknlls house vii
asniOking gun In his hand. I got NJ nr
capc down the street, aud. meeting q ~.
tloman, mkcd him 10 assist me HON
Then | cried oh, my wife and child
lie gave mo no warning. he find tVi
while ] WIS ON the ground. did not u
my ryulyer. did not have time 10 :
II out"
Justice Mckenzie then asked. "Nlr. l.
Teton, you make th!s statement bclicvI.
you an going 10 DEP Mr.. LiJlytpn
Piled 81 d."
The affair caused
iSrEgsE rNCirEuEyT
oil over the city, men discussed Il In I'm,
nnd groups IN the streets and In onir.
Various views wcr expressed about {
affair. a Largo number Of Mr.. littlyiOi
friends called 10 inquire ~ TO his con
lion.
Tho tragedy grew ont Of n puhlicati
made In last weeks National lfrier. \
- Ailelon's paper, which contained scy.
peryonal reflections upon some Of the
publicans who took an active part In
anti. littctOn movement In Che rec,
mayoraliy campaign. In that article, =
donuy written by MIR. lltiloton, Mes.
a.. A. Kercheyh, Frank r. ~,
J. r. Ranks and 4. J.. Grrg1y "
especially mentioned, hut the sever
mimadvcnsion and personal urfccti
were made upon M,ssS. Kcrchcyal
Banks The reference to Mr.. Banks e.
tincd nm offensive allusion, ~ folio
"As 10 Joe Banks When did he
rcspectable1 lie has had q lot Of dnan
tunsactions about Nashville which y
few really respectable people have. II
little mop than n genial loaier.